National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
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United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin, How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. 1. Name of Property Historic name Turner Court Apartments Other names/site number DO09:0212-004 Name of related multiple property listing N/A (Enter “N/A” if property is not part of a multiple property listing) 2. Location Street & Number 3106 Dodge Street City or town Omaha State Nebraska County Douglas Not for publication [] Vicinity [] 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this [x] nomination [] request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property [x] meets [] does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant at the following level(s) of significance: [] national [] statewide [x] local Applicable National Register Criteria: [x] A [] B [x] C [] D SHPO/Director Signature of certifying official/Title: Date Nebraska State Historical Society State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government In my opinion, the property [] meets [] does not meet the National Register criteria. Signature of Commenting Official Date Title State of Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government 4. National Park Service Certification I, hereby, certify that this property is: [ ] entered in the National Register. [ ] determined eligible for the National Register. [ ] determined not eligible for the National Register. [ ] removed from the National Register. [ ] other, (explain): Signature of Keeper Date of Action United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Turner Court Apartments Douglas County, NE Name of Property County and State 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) Category of Property (Check only one box) [x] Private [x] Building(s) [] Public-local [] District [] Public-state [] Site [] Public-federal [] Structure [] Object Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing 2 Buildings Sites Structures Objects 2 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions.) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions.) DOMESTIC: Multiple Dwelling DOMESTIC: Multiple Dwelling 7. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions.) Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements: Sullivanesque Materials (enter categories from instructions.) Principal exterior materials of the property: BRICK; OTHER: Hydrostone 2 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Turner Court Apartments Douglas County, NE Name of Property County and State Description Summary Paragraph (Briefly describe the general characteristics of the property, such as its location, type, style, method of construction, setting, size, and significant features. Indicate whether the property has historic integrity.) The Turner Court Apartments are located in the midtown neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska, and gain their name for neighboring Turner Park and Turner Boulevard. Turner Park and Boulevard are two contributing resources of the National Register listed Omaha Park and Boulevard Historic District (NRHP listed 2013). The three story apartment complex consists of two identical three story brick and hydro-stone buildings connected through a corridor in the basement, located at the northwest corner of 31st and Dodge Streets. This area retains a number of commercial, multiple family residential, and office buildings, but has seen significant change in the built environment due to the construction of Midtown Crossing, a new residential and entertainment district immediately across Dodge Street to the south. Historic apartment complexes are still scattered throughout the neighborhood, and include the Turner Court Apartments. The simple form and block materials of the secondary facades is enhanced by Sullivanesque style detailing on the two main facades. Although portions of the brick and Hydro-stone main façade have been painted, which reduces the sharpness of the applied detailing, the property retains a high degree of historic integrity. Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current physical appearance and condition of the property. Describe contributing and noncontributing resources if applicable.) Exterior The Turner Court Apartment complex, constructed in 1921, consists of two individual three-story, double Maltese cross buildings. The primary designed façade faces south on Dodge Street, but because of its location on the corner, the unornamented utilitarian east façade is also a strong visual presence on the site. Construction materials include brick and a masonry product called Hydro-stone which was manufactured by the Drake Realty Construction Company in Omaha, the builder of this complex. The main façade is faced with brown brick and ornamented by four brick pilasters spaced regularly across the main (south) façade rising the full- height of the building. These pilasters are capped with Sullivanesque style brackets that accent a simple cornice that runs the entire perimeter of the building, except on the southern facades, where the wide projecting cornice once supported by the brackets is now missing. Similar cast stone Sullivanesque details are located at either side of the main entry door. Narrow vertical windows set within brick spandrels rise in the center bay of the building further emphasizing the Sullivanesque detailing on the main façade. The remaining fenestration throughout the building consists of often paired one-over-one double hung units, with single window units at the projecting bays on the east and west facades of both buildings. The secondary facades are all unornamented and finished with the Hydro-stone material which is a concrete masonry unit. The buildings are in fair condition, but do retain their physical integrity. There are no new additions or major alterations to the exterior of the property. The surrounding area which includes Turner Park and Turner Boulevard, as well as other neighboring historic apartment buildings north of the Turner Court Apartments on 31st Street contribute to the general overall character of the area. Interior The interior of each building is identical, and though surface finishes have been painted or covered, such as carpeting over wood flooring and painted trim, they retain a high degree of historic integrity. Original windows and floor plans are retained in both buildings. 3 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Turner Court Apartments Douglas County, NE Name of Property County and State Each building has a double loaded central corridor with 24 apartment units over the three floors, for a total of 48 apartments. Historically the apartments had two main entry doors from the central corridor; one from the kitchen to the corridor and one from the main living space to the corridor. Each unit is efficiently sized with a main living space, one bedroom, a small kitchen, and bathroom with walk-in closet. The direct kitchen access to the corridor has been removed so each unit has only the main door to the living space. Although decorative trim is minimal, the units retain a high degree of historic integrity. The size, configuration, finishes, fenestration, and footprint remain unchanged from the construction of the building. Wood trim has been painted, carpeting added to the floors, and some have newer bathroom and kitchen features. The original door and window trim remains in place. The basements of each building provide general storage space and laundry facilities. The original boilers providing steam heat through the radiator system are still in place and functioning. Simple concrete flooring and walls finish the basement surfaces. Physical Integrity The Turner Court Apartments retain a relatively high degree of historic integrity. Most notable, and as is evidenced from historic photographic documentation provided below, is the loss of a projecting cornice at the roof line of the buildings. It is unknown when this feature was removed, but is no longer present on the property today. A window pair on the main façade of the western most building has been covered with plywood and an exhaust vent placed in the opening. The interior residential units have undergone very limited change. Other than maintenance and finish issues such as new flooring, paint, and updated appliances, the units retain their original layout and square